Wyoming’s Ryan Wallen Will Play at NCAA Regional [VIDEOS]

Wyoming senior Ryan Wallen has received an individual bid to the NCAA Division 1 men’s golf regional in Washington May 15-17.

The native of Blaine, WA will get to return to his home state and compete in Sammamish, WA at the Aldarra Golf Club.

Wallen becomes the seventh men’s golfer in school history and the first since 2011 to earn a regional bid.

KOWB asked Ryan about the honor of being selected, his preparation and also some fun golf-related questions.

University of Wyoming Director of Golf and men’s head coach Joe Jensen said he’s happy for Ryan.

“He had a good year; played solid all year… He obviously made a nice run at the conference championship. It’s also neat that he got the Washington site, where he’s from. A lot of friends and family will be able to come watch him.”

Wallen was third at the Mountain West Championships last month. That was the lowest finish ever for a Cowboy at that event. He received All-MW honors for his accomplishment. It matched the best performance ever by a Wyoming golfer at a conference championship. Wallen tied Don Abbott’s third-place at the 1992 Western Athletic Conference Championship.

When asked what advice you would have for Ryan from now until the regional, Jensen said,

“I want him to go home early. There’s something to get acclimated to the sea level and to Washington, and maybe playing in some weather. It’s a different deal… He can be in the area. Just, again, the sea level and the damp (conditions/air), but again, it’s just any familiarity (will help).”

If Wallen can finish as the lowest individual, without being part of a team, he would earn a spot at the 2017 NCAA Men’s Championship.